With the focus on predominantly white states like Iowa and New Hampshire, the role that Black people play in deciding party nominees is minimized. Trump is only a figurehead— boisterously articulating a nationwide political agenda being carried out by Right Wing interests who already hold office. New Hampshire is just one of more than 16 states that will have new Voter ID laws, felony disenfranchisement and other forms of voter suppression in place this year to make sure Black people don’t decide this election.

But we have a plan to make every Black vote count. In New Hampshire, new Voter ID laws were used to give an edge to the Republican Party, suppressing the participation of progressive voters. In states where there are large communities of Black voters, the attacks are even more aggressive. The opposition is well funded and coordinated — but we know that if we break down the barriers for Black voters, and our allies in the new American electorate, we can defeat candidates like Trump this November. The key is for ColorOfChange to help organizers in key states amplify their votings rights campaigns to make impact. But we need to raise $50,000 by the end of March to be able to put on the necessary trainings.

This election, ColorOfChange is fighting to restore the freedom to vote to 2.2 million Black people across the nation who have lost their freedom to vote because of felony convictions. For the past year, we have supported leaders on the ground in Maryland working to Unlock the Vote for people immediately upon release from prison. Last Tuesday, the Maryland State Senate voted to override Republican Governor Larry Hogan's veto and restored voting rights to 40,000 in Maryland. This win was possible because of the tireless work of advocates like Communities United organizer Perry Hopkins who, when the bill takes effect on March 10, will be able to register to vote for the first time.

We know we can do even more than we did in Maryland. We must support organizers — especially formerly incarcerated organizers — in key states like Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, Virginia and North Carolina to augment their organizing with trainings on cutting edge digital communications tactics and strategic messaging support. But we need your help to make this training possible.